It would be nice if the visa rules in Thailand were implemented consistently and according to the rules. There, in practice, it sometimes appears to be delayed, especially at the regional offices of Immigration. Gringo gives four examples of this. Discuss more about the statement of the week.
Begging children in Thailand. Your gut says: I'll give you some money. But your mind should say otherwise. By giving money you maintain the situation and that is wrong. Or do you think otherwise? Join us for a discussion about the statement of the week.
Statement of the week: There is quite a bit of messing around with food in Thailand
Toxic cooking oil, too many pesticides on fruit and vegetables, chemical agents to make watermelons turn a beautiful red. These are just a few examples of what is wrong with food safety in Thailand. Discuss the statement of the week.
There is no city in Thailand as controversial as this former fishing village. Everyone has an opinion about Pattaya, which ranges from great to terrible. But if you have never been there, can you have an opinion about Pattaya? Discuss the statement of the week.
Sometimes you get the impression that all Thais are one pot wet. Of course that is not the case, but why do you hear that so often? Tino Kuis takes a stand.
Statement of the week: The Thai language is not pleasing to the ear
The statement of the week is about the Thai language. Tastes can differ but I think it's terrible. Not to hear. The Thai language and especially the Isan dialect sounds to me like a squeaky door or nails on a blackboard. Just ugly. Do you agree or do you think differently? Then respond.
Statement of the week: Thais are like little children
Occasionally the expression 'Thai are like (small) children' pops up in comments on Thailand blog. Reason to present it here in the form of a – yes, we know – provocative proposition and to ask you: Are Thais just like little children? Or do you not think so at all?
Thailand does not have the best reputation when it comes to food hygiene. According to a 2011 British study, Thailand is one of the top three countries when it comes to the risk of contracting gastrointestinal problems. The result is often that you have to stay near the toilet for a day.
Statement: 'Thai society is changing much faster and more fundamentally than we think'
'Thai society is changing rapidly and fundamentally' is this week's statement. Especially in the countryside and in the villages, the inhabitants are becoming more assertive. Is this development mainly positive or perhaps also negative? Respond to the statement.
Statement of the week: Tourists should avoid attractions with animals
Tourists should avoid attractions with animals. If you agree, climb into the pen and tell why you think so. Or do you say: we as tourists have nothing to do with that. As long as Thais offer those attractions, we will use them. We do not interfere in the internal affairs of the country. Respond to the statement of the week!
Statement: The larger Thai state hospitals are no worse than Thai private hospitals
Thailand has more than 1000 state hospitals and more than 300 private hospitals. But do you have to go to a private hospital as a tourist/expat/pensionado? No, the larger Thai state hospitals are no worse than private hospitals. But different. Read more and respond to the statement.
Statement of the week: 'Foreigners must accept Thailand as it is'
This week a statement from Gringo. He gets tired of people criticizing Thailand, because whatever criticism - negative or constructive - you have, nothing will happen. There is no Thai who listens to you, let alone that something happens with your criticism.
Are you also getting tired of that comment from expats and immigrants: 'We shouldn't interfere in anything here because we are guests in Thailand'?
In my opinion it is a misconception that Thais only live by the day and don't look ahead. Most Thai women are indeed concerned with securing their future and sometimes also the family, in short: building up a pension.
If I were a woman, I would think twice before going to Thailand with my husband or partner for a winter stay or holiday. Respond to the statement of the week.
Statement of the week: Tourists and expats should not travel through Thailand by night bus
Are you also shocked by the umpteenth bus accident in Thailand? Or do you think it's okay? Respond to the statement of the week: Tourists and expats should not travel through Thailand by night bus.
Statement of the week: 'Thai shouldn't be so prudish.'
Is the prudishness of many Thais still relevant today? Should tourists adapt to Thai or vice versa? That is what the statement of the week is about.
Waking up every day with a radiant sunshine, good food, beautiful ladies, what more could a man want? But is it all roses and moonshine in the Land of Smiles? No, because there is indeed poverty among expats.
Statement of the week: 'Relationship problems with a Thai due to cultural differences is nonsense!'
Peter is annoyed green and yellow by men who classify relationship problems with a Thai partner as 'cultural differences'. Ethnicity and culture have nothing to do with relationship problems. It is just a coat rack on which everything is hung for convenience.
Staff only causes problems and extra worries and that certainly applies to Thai employees in the middle class. They don't listen, they don't understand you, they speak bad English, they don't do what you tell them and they just want more money.
More and more monks are being accused of a materialistic lifestyle, as can be read in the Bangkok Post today. Luxury cars, expensive watches and even flying with a private jet are just some of the striking findings.
Statement of the week: Going to the immigration police with your Thai girlfriend is humiliating and unnecessary!
Today I have to go to the Aliens Police in Apeldoorn with my girlfriend. This is because she is staying in the Netherlands with a Schengen visa and I guarantee her. In my opinion, going to the police is humiliating and unnecessary, especially since we already did this once last year and nothing has changed since then.